jake48

Excellent points lanikai - Mahalo for the effort. Count me in for a couple. .

freddy- I have to agree and think you make a very reasonable assesment. Not to go to far off topic, but it has to do with us "watch freaks" trying to spot a Rep vs Gen in public. I was having lunch the other day and the gentlleman one table away (about six feet) from me was wearing an AP Roo. Being that I had only seen Gens at the AD, I took note. If it was a Rep I figured I could tell reall easy by just looking to see if the seconds were running at 9 or 12. Try as I may, I strained every which way to spy the dial of the watch. On the wrist, moving about, it was impossible to tell if the seconds sub dial was running at 9 or 12. Short of asking him to hold his wrist up and let me admire his watch, it wasn't going to happen. And someone thinks they can spot the refraction of light of the watch cyclops when someone is wearing it? I don't think so....

Have to agree that the AR is one of the easy tells on this watch, but most people here seem to have it right when they say that the AR is something only really anal watch freaks (like us) and WIS's will notice, and even then, probably only if you held the watch, not likely on the wrist. You have to get the watch 12 inches (304.78mm for my Euro buds) from your face to really notice anything that ditinguishes the Rep from the Gen. As far as the AR goes, most people who are saying how EASY the AR flaw is to spot have probably never really looked at the Gen outside. It makes a huge difference. When you look at the watch under the flourescent lighting of an AD, or in some cases other types of artificial lighting, the AR (or lack of AR in the Rep case) is much more noticable. Take the two watches into natural light and it is almost impossible to see any differences in the cyclops reflection. Try it out if you have the chance - you might be suprised of the results...

Yep - Carlsbad covered this over at RG. Crystal not seated evenly from the "factory". I have one with the uneven crystal too. You need to repress the crystal... Bummer Hike...

Yes, I think that is a very fair assessment. In fact to be even fairer I have yet to see or verify if the new CHS GMT ceramic is coming with an ETA movement modified the same as the old CHS ETA. - It could be different. The example for me of my concern would be my IWC Portuguese chrono. I love that watch, but for the most part it has become a closet queen. I only wear it out when I am going to wear it for a period of a few hours or so and I know it is just a matter of time before it is relagated to the bone yard. Nothing worse than having someone admire your watch, you hold it up so they can see the dial and they say "Hey, did you know your watch is two hours slow" AAAARGHHHH!!!! Also, let me add that I spoke to a friend in Guangzhou who has told me the manufacturer of the new CHS ceramic has ceased production due to all the problems with the modded movement. My friend also assured me that a different manufacturer will come out with this watch and it will be in his word "better than the first one" I am not sure exactly what he means and there is always something lost in the translaton between him and me, but it could get interesting in a few weeks...

I am pretty sure most people would agree that when it comes to Reps there probably isn't a better watchsmith than The Zigmeister. Here is what he has to say about the reliability of the correct hand stack ETA: "As with all these reps, they may LOOK like the real deal, hand stack and all, but for $200, and a Basterdized 2836-2 QUAZI GMT movement put together with case clamps and some new gears, it's not going to work like the real watch costing $5000 or more…it can’t… expecting it to do otherwise is unrealistic." Go HERE for the thread. Trust me, I have spent hundreds on some watches and more than once spent in excess of $1,000.00 to mod a Rep to make it as close to Gen as possible. I certainly want my watches to look, feel and perform as close to Gen as posible. The bottom line, however, is that it doesn't really matter how much you spent, $100.00 or $10,000.00, a watch that doesn't run or can not be counted on to run accurately is worthless..

Personally, for me I would rather have the wrong hand stack and a watch that works vs a watch that is likely to implode -probably at the most inopportune time - talk about screaming fake! From what I have read on the boards if you have the correct hand stack it is only a matter of time... As far as wearing a watch with the hour hand passing above the GMT hand - it only happens once in a 24hr period! - Set the watch so that it happens at 3 in the morning- nobody will ever see it take place and if they are awake at that time in the morning it's likey they would be to wasted to tell anyway If you have eyes that can tell the order of a hand stack by looking at someones watch on their wrist - you might want to pursue that job with the circus as "Lazer eye man" right next to the guy who reads minds

Some good info on the new GMT (the bezel insert is covered - the inlay is platinum) NEW GMT REF Here is a good video on the process from the source (I know it's for the TT not the stainless): hXXp://www.rolex.com/en/collection/extraordinary-watches/gmt-master/features/ceramic-bezel.jsp It takes a while to load - click on watch film... Not sure if you guys use a deflector or anonymous re-director so I changed the tt to XX - Change it back to make the link work. Probably not a good idea to link direct to ROLEX...

As previously mentioned, the catch is the contract. If you are a current Iphone user (I have been for about a year now and I have been very happy) or a new customer, you will have to sign a new two year contract that will be at a higher rate (here is the states it is about $10.00 to $20.00 more per month for the current, but equivalent plan on the old Iphone) No new contract = no new Iphone. No one will be allowed to purchase an Iphone without purchasing a new plan according to Apple... It is a better phone for sure, 2x faster, GPS, thinner, longer battery life, improved sound, better reception etc. The question is - do you want to pay for it? Additionally, when the new Ihone comes out Apple will release version 2.0 software updates for existing Iphones - I think it will fix a few bugs and may have a couple of more applications, but that is about it...

+1 for me too...

I have dealt with Joshua for years and can verify his general sincerity when it comes to selling watches, but trust me, he is and always will be a business man first. I switched buying watches from him a year or so back when I found a very reliable source in Guangzhou, who on numerous occasions has procured for me Joshua/Andrew exclusives at prices considerably less than they are selling the same watch for. I have spoke to my guy who assures me more watches will be made. I was told wait three weeks. I am curious to see how this plays out. My guy will not verify the movement modification on the next run to come, but had this to say when I told him dealers where making claims of only 100 watches - "That's funny, the manufacturer of that watch always makes production runs of 500 watches" And for the record, I am a committed skeptic who doesn

Just some observations and info to share on the new GMT 1. I have been using a direct source for my watches for some time now. He is in Guangzhou and has always come through. The "inside story" he has given me is that the dealers who are making claims of "sold out" or "50 watches only' or "100 watches only" should be "suspect," as he personally knows the manufacturer of this watch and the maker typically makes runs of 500 watches... 2. The next run of watches will be released in 2 - 3 weeks. 3. He is trying to confirm the modification for the GMT function on the next run, but said it is a "wait and see" situation... 4. I have only read one post where an owner of this watch said he had a problem with the movement and this problem corrected itself. Additionally, the owner admitted he may have caused the problem from his lack of understanding on how to properly set the GMT time. 5. It is way to soon to put any faith into people who are repeating that this movement is "problematic" - especially when most of the posts of this nature seem to be from people who do not own the watch and are only speculating... My past experience tells me to "wait and see"- I really enjoy reading the posts from people who actually own the watch and my guess is that this watch is going to turn out to be one of the better ones....

Great looking strap! I had a similar experience with Hk. I waited three and half months before I got the cracked vintage strap I ordered for my Fiddy. But I have to say, that strap sure does look good on my watch...

Very nice pictures old skool. When I spoke to G

One of the reasons I collect watches is that every watch has a story. Vintage watches come with a story already built in and when you buy a new watch it is up to you to give the watch a story. This is the story I gave to my new Steinhart. My daughter was quickly approaching the end of her school year in London and I had promised her that my wife and I would visit her while she lived in London and attended college. Prior to embarking on our trip to visit her, I was cruising RWG and stumbled on this thread. I had always loved IWC's and in particular the Big Pilot. With one of my kids having completed his college education, one attending college in London and two more remaining to put through college, it wasn't going to be anytime soon that I could afford an IWC Big Pilot. I liked what I read about Steinhart and in large part due to what I read here at RWG , decided to contact Steinhart about purchasing a watch. After a few emails back and fourth I quickly discovered what a nice guy G

An update to this thread. I just returned from my trip to London / Germany. (Too bad we didn't meet up Pug) Anyway - I spent an entire morning with G

rower - You have excellent taste - Here are my two to match yours:

One of my firsts (Gen that is)

Payment made... Thanks Chief. I can't wait to see this 063 project come together!

Chief - You da man!!! I am in for one.... Payment ready to go. Just let me know.

The easiest tell to spot is the polished back. The finish on the back should be brushed. I am suprised the seller posted a picture of the back. Not to mention that the serial number on the back can be found on any Rep site picture of the same watch! Take note that the serial No he writes in his description, (SERIAL No.2678157) is not the same Number on the watch case pictured (No 2678159) . 2678159 is the number found on the back of the Rep IWC's. This guy knows what he is doing - what a moron... I emailed him too. I told him it was fake and to take it down. He emailed me back and said his "watchmaker" checked it out and it is real. I had pointed out how ironic it was that on all his other listings he posted a picture of the movement, but on this one he left the movemnet picture out. He said he would send a picture of the movement, but that it didn't matter because it was already sold. I let him know I had reported him to ebay. What a frigg'n looser...

Congrats on the CG's - It is no easy task and when you consider you are one misstep away from your watch looking like the lid on a garbage can it takes some stones to give it a try! Look forward to seeing the pics...

Chinkie... Nice job getting everyone together - we really need to get that camera thing sorted out... And how come I have that happy look like I have been drinking - Oh wait - I see the empty glasses - I HAD been drinking :D :D Nice to see everyone and share our hobbie. Don't be shy. Come out for the next one. See you there...

I thought that might be the case - Here is a good example of the same Gen different lighting -different color to second hand:

dluddy - Nice watch. I have been inspired by all the nice 063's & 029's to take on a 063 project of my own. I have a question though- I noticed your GMT hand and your seconds hand looks steel in color. I have seen pictures of Gens wiht both a steel look and a black look to the GMT & seconds hand. The watch I have has a blued GMT and seconds hand. What is the color on the GMT & seconds hand to a Gen? Is there more than one version of Gen 063 out there? Thanks, jake